I have the most amazing job in the world. I know so many people who would love to be in my place and help run a sanctuary for chimpanzees. There are stressful times though; a lot of stressful times, if I’m being honest.
But then there are the moments that bring me back to the mission of Chimpanzee Sanctuary Northwest and the reason that I’m here, and probably the reason you are reading this.
Today, it was a simple moment.
I was finishing up a walk with Jamie (wearing a mismatched pair of boots, at Jamie’s request).
Burrito, Jody, Foxie, Annie, Missy, and Negra all came outside while Jamie and I walked the perimeter of the outdoor habitat. By the time I came to the end of the walk, everyone but Negra had gone into the green house.
Negra remained sitting by the “cabin” that we named after her, in a field of green, sampling the fresh grass, as content as any chimpanzee I’ve ever seen.
Thank you, Negra, for this reminder today. It’s all about these moments.
Nancy says
Diana,
It is evident, from the photos you take, and the descriptions you write, that you are exactly the person meant to tell the rest of us about the chimps. Your true concern for their further development and small compensation for former mistreatment is evident. And, most of all, your love for these precious chimps.
My life is enriched for your sharing. Thank you and the family.
Diana says
Thank you for these words, Nancy!
Donna Oleksiuk says
Diana,
I can only agree with the words of Nancy above. Your stories, photos, and videos are all imbued with your love for the chimps. Today’s post illustrates this. Seeing Negra sitting quietly by herself, savouring her fresh green grass is a beautiful moment and I’m sure it filled your heart with joy as it did mine, merely seeing and reading the post. Thank you SO SO much for caring for these seven precious beings !! <3 <3 <3
Diana says
Thank you, Donna. Seeing her truly did lift my heart, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share and transfer that feeling to people like you.
Nicole Moore says
Thank you for sharing this moment. Negra looks so peaceful and appreciative.
Jo says
Beautiful post and i could feel the serenity!! Lovely to capture this moment! Thank you so much and hugs and love to you all!
Katie says
I am curious as to how Jamie requests you wear mismatched boots….
Elaine Reininger says
They actually point to which boot they want the caretaker to wear I’ve seen in in a lot of the videos, as a matter of fact there was one such video just a few day ago
Diana says
Yes! Just the day before, J.B. posted a video of Jamie asking for boots. There’s also this post from a while back: https://chimpsnw.org/2015/03/picking-the-right-boots/
Katie says
Thanks for all the wonderful chimp stories…I love learning about their personalities
DeeAnn says
Diana, I can only image the stress you feel. Cleaning, preparing 3 meals a day, washing their blankets daily, scheduling volunteers, enhancement ideas, health checks, the garden, safety issues, just to name a few of the many things you all do each & every day. It brightened my day to see this post. Negra, of all people, wanting to stay outside! Thank you
Diana says
Thank goodness we have such an incredible staff and so many dedicated volunteers to help with all of this!. Thank you, DeeAnn!
Kathleen says
Nancy said it all in such an eloquent way. We all know your job is full of pressure and stresses– physically and emotionally. But you are where you are supposed to be and I believe the chimps know this too. Seeing these photos of Negra made me cry. Not just because I love Nergra, although that’s a good reason! But I was weepy seeing her all alone looking “wild and true” to who she was always supposed to be. And I am touched by what I imagine your connection/experience must be to moments like this. Often, it is not the extraordinary moments that are so special, instead it is the simple everyday moments that are the most gratifying because these instances are the ones we often take for granted.
Thank you Diana for everything you do for Negra and all the chimps. The universe will reward you ten fold!????
Diana says
Now your comment made me cry! Negra “wild and true” is just so beautiful. And you are so right that it is the simple everyday moments that are the most gratifying. It’s easy for me to “be busy” all of the time, so I appreciate when something happens to cause me to stop and absorb those moments. Thank you, Kathleen!
Francoise says
Stress and pressure are weird things. They have their downside but when it comes doing something you love and are passionate about, it becomes “easy”. It’s like when I paint or read. I can stay up to 4 in the morning and get up for work, no problem. But anything else? Forget it. So Diana I can wish there was no stress in what you do but I expect you feel it far less than the joy that comes from everything you do, even the stressful stuff. And to share it with J.B. and your staff, well you won the lottery of aligned stars. I am a weepy one, too, especially happy weepy. I long for the time I can put my life in place such that I can do something I am passionate about 24 hours a day. I know that you take all of the stress and problems and occasional heartache in return for the rewards and joy. I am thankful that the passion found you.
As for Negra, that photo is something else. The joy of simple things in life in living color. What a thrill to see her enjoying the simplicity of fresh tender grass, spring wind, and sunshine!
Chris says
Diana, I also couldn’t agree more with Nancy’s words spoken so eloquently and heartfelt. You must see as we all see, the efforts of all your hard work, love and commitment to these chimps in these photos here today of Negra. She couldn’t look more content, peaceful, happy and loved..all because of you and the entire CSN staff.
We are all so thankful for all of you…
Diana says
Thank you, Chris!
Benjamin Pavsner says
The fact the Negra and the rest of the CE7 can have moments like this after going through what they have warms my heart.
Althea says
Diana, you are fortunate to have found your true calling. This was another beautifully wrttien blog as usual, followed by equally beautiful and heartfelt comments by all. Perhaps the only additional comment that I would add might come from Negra herself (if I could really know what she was thinking) as she sits in her patch of sweet spring grass, soaking up the breathtaking view, feeling the warm sun on her beautiful face and the wind blowing through her hair, thinking and feeling that “Life is good…very, very good”. I love you sweet Negra????????????
Arlene and Michael says
Thank you Diana for sharing this with all of us. Thank you for all that all of you do over there for these seven wonderful chimps. You are fortunate to witness these moments in person. With all that you have to do and your busy schedules I’m sure it’s moments like this that make it feel so worthwhile. And it’s a good lesson for all of us when we are so busy or stressed out to take a moment to stop and smell the roses or in this case sample the fresh grass:)
Thank you beautiful Negra. Xoxo
Vicki Jarratt says
It’s the little things in life that matters, be it a human or chimp.